[The predictive value of the GRF-stimulation test].

Klinische Padiatrie1990PMID: 2113150

Plain Language Summary

Researchers tested the GHRH stimulation test in 48 children and found it was unreliable for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency. While the test was specific for children with normal GH function, it had poor sensitivity because most GH-deficient children have hypothalamic rather than pituitary problems and therefore still respond to exogenous GHRH, making the test unsuitable as a standalone diagnostic tool.

Abstract

48 patients between one and seventeen years of age were stimulated with GRF (1-29) NH2. Seventeen of them showed a constitutional delay in growth and puberty, twenty-three suffered from growth-hormone deficiency (GHD) and eight had a suspected GHD as a result of pharmacological tests. Although the results demonstrate a high specificity for GH release in children with constitutional delay of growth and patients with functioning hypophyseal gland, the sensitivity for diagnosis of GHD was poor. The majority of GHD patients suffer from hypothalamic disorders and therefore respond to GRF. In conclusion, the GRF-stimulation test may be sufficient for differentiation of hypophyseal or hypothalamic disorders. However, GRF-stimulation test shows too many false positive results in hypothalamic growth disorders and therefore is not recommended for diagnosis of GHD.

Authors

Andler, W; Eiden, S